Mastering the 3/4 Shank: Customizing Your Ballet Pointe Shoes

For many adult ballet dancers, the journey to dancing en pointe is filled with unique challenges. One of the most common frustrations is the feeling of being stuck 'behind' the box, unable to fully reach the platform and align the body correctly. While this is often attributed to a lack of ankle flexibility or foot strength, the culprit is frequently the construction of the pointe shoe itself.

Standard factory-made shanks are designed for a general foot shape and may not break where your natural arch does. At Broche Ballet, we understand that adult foot anatomy requires a tailored approach. In this class, Julie and Erica demonstrate how to perform a 3/4 shank modification—a professional technique used to customize the support of your shoe to match your foot's unique mechanics.

By shanking your shoes to three-quarters, you allow the shoe to yield exactly where your arch is highest, making it significantly easier to get over the box and achieve a flatter, more aesthetic line. This modification is particularly helpful for dancers who find their shanks are too stiff or 'pushing' them back off the platform. Throughout this tutorial, you will learn how to precisely measure where your arch breaks while standing en pointe, how to safely use a box cutter to modify the internal shank, and the proper way to use jet glue to ensure the shoe remains secure and durable.

We also discuss the troubleshooting aspects of pointe work, helping you determine if a shoe modification is the right solution for your specific technical needs. Remember, customizing pointe shoes is an art form in itself, and finding the perfect fit often requires experimentation. Join us as we demystify this advanced shoe-prep technique to help you dance with more confidence and better alignment.